An animal model of gestational diabetes

Glucose tolerance tests (GTTs), hemoglobin A, levels, and pup weights were studied in both normal (C57BL/KsJ-+m/ + m) and heterozygous (C57BL/KsJ-db+/ + m) mice. There was no difference in GTT or hemoglobin A, levels between heterozygotes and normal animals in the nonpregnant state. However, the pregnant heterozygous mouse had significantly elevated GTTs (p less than 0.001) and hemoglobin A, levels (p less than 0.002) when compared to the normal pregnant mouse. The mean weight of pups from heterozygous parents was significantly greater than that of pups from normal parents (p less than 0.0005). Because the heterozygous mouse (C57BL/KsJ-db+/ + m) exhibits these characteristics of gestational diabetes, it may be possible to use it as an animal model of gestational diabetes.